Alabama players celebrate after their 32-28 victory over Georgia Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. UGA will take on Alabama in the SEC Championship game. (Julie Bennett/al.com)

The No. 2 Crimson Tide was on the right end of a back and forth battle in the Georgia Dome with No. 3 Georgia. The lead changed hands multiple times during a wild second half before AJ McCarron's 45-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper with 3:15 to play ultimately served as the final knockout punch.

Only it wasn't that simple.

Georgia didn't quit, as it marched down to the Crimson Tide's 5-yard line after a slew of Aaron Murray completions put Alabama's defense on its heels. The game ended, though, on the very next play, as Murray's pass was deflected by linebacker C.J. Mosley and caught by Chris Conley in bounds and short of the end zone.

“It’s probably a good thing the guy caught it," defensive coordinator Kirby Smart said. "Otherwise they’d get another snap. It cost them the game.”

The historic matchup was set. Alabama vs. Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship game.

“All of our kids had a heart of gold tonight,” Smart said. “They got hit in the mouth and they responded.”